Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-12-23
WORSE THAN DEATH.
A Young California Physician Slave
TO Cocaine.


morning, says Cincinnati paper, when q
reporter dropped into pharmacy at the
corner Of Plum ana Longworth streets.
Joe was preparing TO close up when sud.
denly young man walked in. AS soon
as the druggist saw him he said.
THAT settles it; won't get out of here
for two hours"
why; what's the matter?"
THAT fellow who has Just come i'm is 9
cocoaine fiend, and he's good for two
hours.
The young fellow walked behind the
prescription case. lie was well dressed.
and bore the appearance Of being well
fixed with this life's goods.
He wore a shining silk hat, Prince Al
bert coat, and pantaloons of the latest
style. Around his neck was silk hand.
kerchief. held at the throat with n solitaire
diamond pin, and in his hand he carried n
silver headed cane Once behind the desk
he whispered:
Doc, couldn't go TO bed without my
medicine"
His appearance vouched for the truth OF
his statement. for he looked ms if he had
not seen bed for several nights. His face
was pale, but his eyes were clear aud
moved nervously in his head.
well, how much do you want?' asked
Elfers.
well, give me ten grains" At the
same time he pulled out small leather
case, which he laid on the desk. He also
produced pocket-book containing Il large
roll of money. The cocaine, for such i
proved 10 be, was given him, and he
opened the small case. 1t contained about
enc hundred small wires, number Of
needles used for hypoGcrmic injections, 1,
piece OF sealing wax. an old bone handled
knife with broken blade, all covered
with sealing wax. and small medica
syringe lie at once began TO work ir
full view Of DR.. Elfcrs and the reporter,
who stood by TO watch.
The ten grains of cocaine were placed in
vial, In this he placed some distilled
water, filling the vial. As he held up the
large bottle containing the distilled water
his hand trembled, and he bit his lips
his chin. He would allow no one TO assist
him. He shook the vial violently and
corked it up. lie then began TO talk in {
wild, senseless manner while he was pre-
pairing the needle for the injection. IIis
case was truly ptiable one. He placed
the syringe in the vial and filled it; then
holding it up TO the light. he uttered m
impatient groan, rs he found that the
syringe could not be used
When asked why it could not be used he
said:
IAN injection in the arm would cause 6
green spot in the flesh.
Another syringeful was secured. Thi
time it was all right lie seemed happy
now and began TO talk about women and
the benefits of the drug to which he was {
slave. lie unbuttoned his coat, and foi
the first time il was known he had on
nothing but an undershirt. When asked
If he was not cold he said no. and at the
same time he unbuttoned his shirt. show
ing two more underneath. lie now pulled
up the sleeve Of his left arm, barring it a
the elbow. His forearm was one mass OF
sores, caused by the constant use of the
needle.
"I'll show YOU something YOU never
saw anybody do before | II now inject
this into one of my veins, " said he. and as
he spoke he clinched his fist and the veins
of his arm began 10 swell Picking out II
large vein he ran the needle into his arm
pressed the syringe. and the terrible
drug was forced into his arm II caused
a slight swelling, but the slave rubbed tEc
arm for moment and then pulled down
his sleeve. Instantly his appearance
changed. He talked more nationally. and
his cheeks, which before bore deathly
palor, were now as red as n rose. He
talked for while and then prepared
another injection. This he took Mean.
while he purchased lot of candy, some
toilet soap, stick Of pomadc, and NOR,
cocaine. While preparing another in.
lection he said in reply to a question
I've only been using this six month
NV name is DR. w. J. Graves and ! live
in San Francisco. While there in 1SS.
my wife died. and i took to smoking
opium, became slave TO the drug. and
TO counteract its effect | was given NOR
phine, and became a fiend TO the use OF
that drug. The use of cocaine was the
only avenue of relief, and took 10 il in
the hope of being cured"
What are your feelings when you use
it?"
ooh. the most pleasant in the word il
is just like a drunk, but it does not have
the bad effect of whisky"
He talked of things no one knew any
thing about. About this time n drunken
hack driver dropped in. The fiend tried
in every possible manner TO persuade tn,
drunken Jehu TO allow him 10 give him m
injection, but the hackman refused. Al
this time Graves was using injection after
injection Suddenly he put his hand il
his pocket and pulled out dozen vials oi
all sizes and classes. None Of these had
any peculiar mark. but lie uncorkcd on,
which contained morphia. lie prepared
two injections Of this mixed with cocaine
and injected one in his left and one IN hi,
right leg, The needle was forced through
his trousers and into the flesh. Ii wa,
near o'clock when he asked for piec,
OF cotton saturated with alcohol. Ii wa,
given him. He set 1t afire and then APP
piled the sealingwaX TO the flame, which
caused il 10 melt. Into this he showed ;
needle. After rolling it carefully he said
That's good; that needle is now ready
for use" lie took two more doses, which
made the eleventh in about an hour. lef
the store and started up Longworth street
At the corner Of Plum he was partakine
another in lection After he had gone DR.
Elfers said: There's the worst ilcnd
ever saw. He has been in asylums and
number Of doctors have treated him for th'
habit. but of no avail--he can not b,
cured.
Then you've seen him boforcf'